The Township of Washington Council has decided to refer an investigation regarding terminal leave payouts made to employees over to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the State's Local Finance Board, according to Council Vice President Fred Goetz.

In February, officials voted unanimously to retain an outside attorney, Ronald Mondello, to "review" three payments made between 2010 and 2011, and then provide a written legal opinion on the matter.

In 2010, former Chief William Cicchetti, received $38,184, according to township records. In 2011, the township paid out $55,521 to former Sgt. John Ryan Smith and $66,828 to Lt. John Oppelt.

Goetz said on Tuesday afternoon that the council voted to hand the investigation over to the county and state following the closed session portion of its April 1 meeting. The council vice president said he could not comment any further on the matter.

Earlier this year, the township and PBA Local 206 came to terms on a new three-year contract agreement, which eliminates terminal leave payments.

Previously, officers would receive payouts for unused sick time at the end of their careers. Now, police will receive those payments at the end of the year, at their current rate of pay.

In February, Mondello was also directed to look into the "status" of "a contractor or employee of the Township" and then render an analysis. Councilmen Richard Hrbek and Glenn Beckmeyer both voted against having the attorney review the issue.

Goetz said Mondello is still working on that report.

While officials won't identify the individual, there have been questions raised over the last year regarding longtime Township Attorney Kenneth Poller. During public meetings, residents have questioned whether Poller is considered a contractual worker or a full-time employee, as well as why he receives health benefits. Officials have only said that his status as an employee or contractual worker was not clear and that the township was looking into the matter.

The employment status of other township officials has not been mentioned during public council meetings.

Officials have said the need to investigate the matters arose when they were working on the 2013 municipal budget.

The Township of Washington Council has decided to refer an investigation regarding terminal leave payouts made to employees over to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the State's Local Finance Board, according to Council Vice President Fred Goetz.

In February, officials voted unanimously to retain an outside attorney, Ronald Mondello, to "review" three payments made between 2010 and 2011, and then provide a written legal opinion on the matter.

In 2010, former Chief William Cicchetti, received $38,184, according to township records. In 2011, the township paid out $55,521 to former Sgt. John Ryan Smith and $66,828 to Lt. John Oppelt.

Goetz said on Tuesday afternoon that the council voted to hand the investigation over to the county and state following the closed session portion of its April 1 meeting. The council vice president said he could not comment any further on the matter.

Earlier this year, the township and PBA Local 206 came to terms on a new three-year contract agreement, which eliminates terminal leave payments.

Previously, officers would receive payouts for unused sick time at the end of their careers. Now, police will receive those payments at the end of the year, at their current rate of pay.

In February, Mondello was also directed to look into the "status" of "a contractor or employee of the Township" and then render an analysis. Councilmen Richard Hrbek and Glenn Beckmeyer both voted against having the attorney review the issue.

Goetz said Mondello is still working on that report.

While officials won't identify the individual, there have been questions raised over the last year regarding longtime Township Attorney Kenneth Poller. During public meetings, residents have questioned whether Poller is considered a contractual worker or a full-time employee, as well as why he receives health benefits. Officials have only said that his status as an employee or contractual worker was not clear and that the township was looking into the matter.

The employment status of other township officials has not been mentioned during public council meetings.

Officials have said the need to investigate the matters arose when they were working on the 2013 municipal budget.